Internet of Things gateway content receiver

ABSTRACT

A method and a content receiver configured as an Internet of Things (IoT) gateway are provided. The content receiver receives a first signal transmitted by an IoT device in accordance with an IoT protocol and demodulates and decodes the first signal. The content receiver generates one or more Internet protocol (IP) packets or non-IP packets representative of the first signal and sends the one or more IP packets or non-IP packets to an external server.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

This application is directed to a content receiver configured as anInternet of Things (IoT) gateway and, in particular, a content receiverthat provides a user interface (UI) for IoT devices.

Description of the Related Art

IoT devices are becoming increasingly prevalent in a variety ofcommercial applications. IoT devices are incorporated in smart homedevices, appliances, lighting fixtures, home security systems, andcameras, among others. During operation, an IoT device may exchangedata, over the Internet, with a server, whereby the IoT device may senddata representative of a condition or quantity sensed by the IoT deviceto the server.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a system includes an Internet of Things (IoT) deviceincluding a transceiver configured to transmit a first signal inaccordance with an IoT protocol and a content receiver configured as anIoT gateway. In an embodiment, the content receiver includes an IoTtransceiver configured to: receive the first signal; demodulate anddecode the first signal; and output data representative of the firstsignal. In an embodiment, the content receiver includes a controllerconfigured to: receive the data representative of the first signal;generate one or more packets, which may be Internet protocol (IP)packets or non-IP packets, representative of the first signal; andoutput the one or more packets representative of the first signal. In anembodiment, the content receiver includes a network interface configuredto: receive the one or more packets representative of the first signal;and send the one or more packets to an external server.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to: determine whether analert is configured for the IoT device; and when the alert isconfigured, evaluate the data representative of the first signal;determine to display the alert based on the data representative of thefirst signal; and in response to determining to display the alert, causethe alert to be displayed on a display coupled to the content receiver.In an embodiment, the controller is configured to: cause the alert to bedisplayed by displaying a popup representing the alert on the display;and superpose the popup on content displayed on the display.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to: display the alerttogether with a first command button permitting a user to acknowledgethe alert; and in response to receiving selection from the user of thefirst command button, cease display of the alert. In an embodiment, thecontroller is configured to cause an IoT device configuration menu to bedisplayed, the IoT device configuration menu presenting: a command for auser to add and remove IoT devices with which the content receivercommunicates; and a command for the user to specify, for each IoTdevice, whether to display a respective alert originating from the IoTdevice. In an embodiment, the controller is configured to: display thealert including an image or video captured by the IoT device. In anembodiment, the IoT device is a sensor and the first signal represents acondition or quantity sensed by the IoT device.

In an embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a content receiverconfigured as an Internet of Things (IoT) gateway, a first signaltransmitted by an IoT device in accordance with an IoT protocol;demodulating and decoding the first signal; generating one or morepackets, which may be Internet protocol (IP) packets or non-IP packets,representative of the first signal; and sending the one or more packetsto an external server.

In an embodiment, the method includes determining whether an alert isconfigured for the IoT device; and when the alert is configured,evaluating the first signal; determining to display the alert based onthe first signal; and in response to determining to display the alert,causing the alert to be displayed on a display coupled to the contentreceiver. In an embodiment, the method includes causing the alert to bedisplayed by displaying a popup representing the alert on the display;and superposing the popup on content displayed on the display.

In an embodiment, the method includes displaying the alert together witha first command button permitting a user to acknowledge the alert; andin response to receiving selection from the user of the first commandbutton, ceasing display of the alert.

In an embodiment, the method includes causing an IoT deviceconfiguration menu to be displayed, the IoT device configuration menupresenting: a command for a user to add and remove IoT devices withwhich the content receiver communicates; and a command for the user tospecify, for each IoT device, whether to display a respective alertoriginating from the IoT device. In an embodiment, the method includesdisplaying the alert including an image or video captured by the IoTdevice. In an embodiment, the method includes the IoT device is a sensorand the first signal represents a condition or quantity sensed by theIoT device.

In an embodiment, a content receiver includes an Internet of Things(IoT) transceiver configured to: receive a first signal transmitted byan IoT device in accordance with an IoT protocol; demodulate and decodethe first signal; and output data representative of the first signal. Inan embodiment, the content receiver includes a controller configured to:receive the data representative of the first signal; generate one ormore packets, which may be Internet protocol (IP) packets or non-IPpackets, representative of the first signal; and output the one or morepackets representative of the first signal. In an embodiment, thecontent receiver includes a network interface configured to: receive theone or more packets representative of the first signal; and send the oneor more packets to an external server.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to: determine whether analert is configured for the IoT device; and when the alert isconfigured, evaluate the data representative of the first signal;determine to display the alert based on the data representative of thefirst signal; and in response to determining to display the alert, causethe alert to be displayed on a display coupled to the content receiver.

In an embodiment, the controller is configured to: cause the alert to bedisplayed by displaying a popup representing the alert on the display;and superpose the popup on content displayed on the display. In anembodiment, the controller is configured to: display the alert togetherwith a first command button permitting a user to acknowledge the alert;and in response to receiving selection from the user of the firstcommand button, cease display of the alert. In an embodiment, thecontroller is configured to: display the alert including an image orvideo captured by the IoT device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary media subscription service environmentthat includes a content receiver.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the content receiver.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an IoT device communicatively coupled tothe content receiver.

FIG. 4A shows an example of an alert output by the content receiver anddisplayed by a display.

FIG. 4B shows an example of an alert output by the content receiver anddisplayed by the display.

FIG. 4C shows an example of an alert output by the content receiver anddisplayed by the display.

FIG. 5 shows an example of an IoT device configuration menu output bythe content receiver and displayed by the display.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a settings menu output by the contentreceiver and displayed by the display.

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a method implemented by the contentreceiver configured as an IoT gateway.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this specification, embodiments of the present disclosure illustratea subscriber satellite television service as an example. This detaileddescription is not meant to limit the disclosure to any specificembodiment. The present disclosure is equally applicable to cabletelevision systems, broadcast television systems, Internet streamingmedia systems, or other television or video distribution systems thatinclude user hardware, typically in the form of a content receiver orset-top box supported by the media provider or by a third partymaintenance service provider. Such hardware can also include, forexample, digital video recorder (DVR) devices and/or digital-video-disc(DVD) recording devices or other accessory devices inside, or separatefrom, the set-top box.

Throughout the specification, the term “subscriber” refers to an enduser who is a customer of a media service provider and who has anaccount associated with the media service provider. Subscriber equipmentresides at the subscriber's address. The terms “user” and “viewer” referto anyone using part or all of the home entertainment system componentsdescribed herein.

One skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure canalso apply to other types of systems that offer technical support to endusers. Such systems can include computer systems, networking systems,telephone systems, industrial equipment systems, medical equipmentsystems, and the like. While the disclosure shows and describesmedia-related embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that various other changes in the form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The disclosure uses the term “signal” in various places. One skilled inthe art will recognize that the signal can be any digital or analogsignal. Those signals can include, but are not limited to, a bit, aspecified set of bits, an A/C signal, or a D/C signal. Uses of the term“signal” in the description can include any of these differentinterpretations. It will also be understood to one skilled in the artthat the term “connected” is not limited to a physical connection butcan refer to any means of communicatively or operatively coupling twodevices.

As a general matter, the disclosure uses the term content receiver as abroad term that includes a television converter, receiver, set-top box,television receiving device, television receiver, television recordingdevice, satellite set-top box, satellite receiver, cable set-top box,and cable receiver, and content receiver, to refer to electronicequipment that has the capacity to acquire, process and distribute forviewing one or more television signals transmitted by broadcast, cable,telephone or satellite distributors. DVR and “personal video recorder(PVR)” refer interchangeably to devices that can record and play backtelevision signals and that can implement playback functions including,but not limited to, play, fast-forward, rewind, and pause. As set forthin this specification and the figures pertaining thereto, DVR and PVRfunctionality or devices can be combined with a content receiver. Thesignals transmitted by these broadcast, cable, telephone, satellite, orother distributors can include, individually or in any combination,Internet, radio, television or telephonic data, and streaming media.

As yet another general matter, it will be understood by one skilled inthe art that the term “television” refers to a television set or videodisplay that can contain an integrated television converter device, forexample, an internal cable-ready television tuner housed inside atelevision or, alternatively, connected to an external televisionconverter device such as an external set-top box connected via cablingto a television. A further example of an external television converterdevice is the EchoStar Hopper combination satellite set-top box and DVR.

In the figures, identical reference numbers identify similar features orelements. The sizes and relative positions of the features in thefigures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary mediasubscription service environment that includes a content receiver system100. A basic content receiver system 100 includes a content receiver202, also called a set-top box in some systems, communicatively coupledto a source of media content, for presentation on a display 204. Themedia content is provided as a media signal 201.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the content receiversystem 100 is a home media entertainment system, and the media signal201 is a satellite signal received by a rooftop-mounted satellitereceiving antenna 206. The content receiver 202 receives media contentfrom the satellite receiving antenna 206 via a communication link 208.

While the content receiver 202 is described herein as being connected toa satellite receiving antenna 206, in other embodiments the contentreceiver 202 can receive media content from other sources. For example,the content receiver 202 can receive media content via an antenna whichreceives terrestrial broadcast signals. Alternatively, the contentreceiver 202 can receive media content via the media signal 201 receivedvia a broadband cable subscriber service. Additionally or alternatively,the content receiver 202 can receive media content via the media signal201 received directly from the Internet 252 via a network communicationlink 210, using an Internet-based media subscription service.Furthermore, a content provider may provide to the subscriber multiplemedia signals 201 via satellite (as shown) and/or via the Internet 252,broadband cable and/or Internet, or in any other suitable way.

The content receiver 202 can be coupled to a television, or the contentreceiver 202 can be in the form of hardware built into a television,wherein the set-top box receives content from the media serviceprovider. Alternatively, the content receiver 202 can be any electronicdevice that receives media content by accessing the Internet 252; forexample, a gaming console, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptopcomputer, or a desktop computer.

The display 204 can be any kind of video display device such as acathode ray tube display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasmadisplay, a television, a computer monitor, a rear projection screen, afront projection screen, a heads-up display, or any other electronicdisplay device. The display 204 can include audio speakers, or thedisplay 204 can be coupled to separate audio speakers. The term “fordisplay” as used herein generally includes presentation of an audiocomponent as well as a video component of the media signal 201.

The communication links 208 and 210 typically are wired connections suchas one or more coaxial cables. One skilled in the art will recognizethat other methods and other systems of delivering the media signal 201to the content receiver 202 may be possible. For example, one or both ofthe communication links 208 and 210 can be wireless links.

The content receiver 202 optionally further includes one or moreperipheral devices 220 such as a media playback device including, butnot limited to, a DVD player, a VCR, a stereo, a television, a gameconsole, or a stand-alone DVR device that provides an alternate sourceof content directly to the display 204 via a wireless or a wiredconnection 222. Any of the peripheral devices 220 can besubscriber-owned devices, or they can be supplied by the mediasubscription service.

A remote control 226 can be operated by a user, for example, asubscriber 224, to cause the content receiver 202 to display receivedcontent on the display 204. The remote control 226 may also be used by aviewer to display a programming guide and to communicate programselections to the content receiver 202. The remote control 226 iscommunicatively coupled to the content receiver 202 via a wireless path228, for example, an infrared (IR) signal. The remote control 226 can beused to send commands to the satellite content receiver 202, includingchannel selections, display settings, and DVR instructions. The wirelesspath 228 can use, for example, infrared or UHF transmitters within theremote control 226. One example of an embodiment of the remote control226 is the EchoStar Technologies Corporation 40.0 Remote Control thatincludes an IR transmitter and an ultra-high frequency (UHF)transmitter. The remote control 226 may be able to send signals to theother peripheral devices 220 that form part of the content receiversystem 100. The content receiver 202 may also be able to send signals tothe remote control 226, including, but not limited to, signals toconfigure the remote control 226 to operate the other peripheral devicesin the content receiver system 100. In some embodiments, the remotecontrol 226 has a set of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Some remotecontrols can include Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) or other screens.The remote control 226 can include buttons, dials, or other man-machineinterfaces. While the remote control 226 can often be the common meansfor a user to communicate with the satellite content receiver 202, oneskilled in the art will recognize that other means of communicating withthe content receiver 202 are available, including, but not limited to,attached keyboards, smart phones, front panel buttons or touch screens.

The satellite receiving antenna 206 receives media content via the mediasignal 201 from one or more satellite transponders in earth orbit. Eachsatellite transponder is, for purposes of the content receiver system100, a source of content that transmits one or more media channels tothe satellite receiving antenna 206. A satellite television distributorcan transmit one or more satellite television signals to one or moresatellites. Satellite television distributors can utilize severalsatellites to relay the satellite television signals to the subscriber224. Each satellite can have several transponders. Transponders transmitthe satellite signal from the satellite to the satellite receivingantenna 206.

The environment also includes a plurality of Internet of Things (IoT)devices 230. An IoT device 230 may be a sensor, an alarm or acontroller, among others. For example, the IoT device 230 may be alighting fixture, a thermostat, a home security system device, such as acamera or a motion detector, a home appliance, a water, moisture orleakage detector, a sprinkler a smoke detector, or a carbon monoxidedetector, among others. The IoT device 230 may wirelessly communicatewith the content receiver 202 as described herein.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the content receiver 202. The contentreceiver 202 includes control circuitry 266, one or more tuning devices254, an optional internal digital video recorder (DVR) 256, anon-transitory computer readable memory 258, a network interface 260, aperipheral interface 262, a remote control interface 264 and an Internetof Things (IoT) transceiver 268. The control circuitry 266 may be acontroller, a microcontroller, a processor or a microprocessor, amongothers.

Generally, the content receiver 202 can receive one or more televisionsignals from a media provider such as a cable television distributor, abroadcast television distributor or a satellite television distributor.In the embodiment shown, the content receiver system 100 receivessignals from a satellite television distributor via the satellitecontent receiver 202. One skilled in the art will recognize that contentreceiver 202 can also receive video-digital subscriber line (VDSL), DSL,Internet 252, wireless and other signals from content or videodistributors. The satellite content receiver 202 can process televisionsignals and can send the processed signals to peripheral electronicdevices, such as the display 204 and the remote control 226. Thesatellite content receiver 202 also can accept commands from the remotecontrol 226 or other peripheral electronic devices. More detail aboutthe functionality of the satellite content receiver 202 is providedbelow. One skilled in the art will recognize that many embodiments ofthe content receiver system 100 are possible and within the scope ofthis disclosure. Other such embodiments can include, but are not limitedto, various combinations or permutations of devices and connections forthe delivery, storage, and display of communications, content and otherdata.

In one embodiment, the content receiver 202 receives media content fromthe satellite receiving antenna 206. The tuning device 254 tunes into aselected media channel received by the satellite receiving antenna 206to acquire a satellite signal. The tuning device 254 can initiallyprocess the satellite signal. The tuning device 254 can also receivesubscriber commands in the form of signals from the control circuitry266. Signals from the control circuitry 266 can include, but are notlimited to, a signal to tune to a transponder as part of the process ofselecting a certain channel for viewing on a peripheral device. Thetuning device 254 transmits the acquired satellite signal to the controlcircuitry 266 where the signal can undergo extensive signal processing.

Furthermore, the content receiver 202 can include multiple tuningdevices 254. This allows the content receiver 202 to record two or moreprograms that air simultaneously. Generally, the content receiver 202can record one show at a single time for each tuning device 254 that thecontent receiver 202 includes. For example, if the content receiver 202includes two tuning devices 254, then the content receiver 202 canrecord two media programs simultaneously. Thus if there is a recordingconflict between two programs, the content receiver 202 can still recordboth programs because it has two tuners. If a recording conflict occursbecause the number of tuning devices 254 is less than the number ofprograms the subscriber 224 wants to view or record, the controlcircuitry 266 can be programmed to resolve the conflict by prioritizingcertain media content according to the subscriber's directions, orautomatically, based on various criteria.

The DVR 256 can be used to record programs locally in the contentreceiver 202. For example, while viewing the programming guide the usermay notice a TV show that is not broadcast at a convenient time. Byusing the remote control 226 the user can command the content receiver202 to record the TV show to the DVR 256 so that the user may view theTV show at a later convenient time. When the user selects a program tobe recorded to the DVR, the content receiver 202 sets a recording timerthat causes the content receiver 202 to automatically record theselected program at the scheduled time. At a time convenient to theuser, the user can operate the remote control 226 to cause the contentreceiver 202 to display a list of programs that have been recorded tothe DVR. The user can select the desired program from the list ofrecorded programs and the content receiver 202 will play back theselected program.

The satellite content receiver 202 can be connected to the display 204and the peripheral devices 220 through a peripheral interface 262. Suchperipheral devices can send and receive signals to and from thesatellite content receiver 202. For instance, a television can receivevideo and audio signals, whereas a stereo can receive only audiosignals. One skilled in the art will recognize that the peripheraldevices can include many types of commercially available electronicdevices.

Another peripheral device and connection to the satellite contentreceiver 202 can include a phone line and modem. Content receiver 202can use a modem and phone line to communicate with one or more outsideentities or systems (e.g., satellite television distributor) using DSLor other protocol.

The remote control interface 264 includes instructions that allow a userto communicate with the satellite content receiver 202, and can beimplemented using the peripheral interface 262 or by connecting aseparate remote control interface device. The remote control interface264 can translate an input from the user into a format understandable bythe control circuitry 266. The remote control interface 264 can, thus,be considered a user interface (UI). The translation systems caninclude, but are not limited to, electronic receivers and electronicrelays. The remote control interface 264 can receive commands from morethan one remote control 226. The remote control 226 can use infrared,UHF, or other communications technology. One skilled in the art willrecognize that other means to receive and translate user inputs arepossible.

The network interface 260 may be any type of device configured tocommunicate using an Internet communication protocol. For example, thenetwork interface 260 may be a modem and may be configured tocommunicate with the Internet 252. The network interface 260 may sendand receive packets to a device or server connected to the Internet 252.The packets may be Internet protocol (IP) packets or non-IP packets. Anon-IP packet may be data sent in a transparent container without usingan IP stack.

The non-transitory computer readable memory 258 may be any type ofmemory such as static or dynamic memory. The non-transitory computerreadable memory 258 may store executable instructions, that whenexecuted by the control circuitry 266, cause the control circuitry 266(and the content receiver 202) to operate as described herein.

The IoT transceiver 268 may be any type of device, such as a radiofrequency (RF) transceiver, configured to communicate using an IoTprotocol, such as Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) or Long Range(LoRa) spread spectrum. Examples of the IoT transceiver 268 include theSemtech SX1272/73 860 Megahertz (MHz) to 1020 MHz Low Power Long RangeTransceiver, among others. The IoT transceiver 268 may communicate withthe IoT devices 230. When receiving signals transmitted by the IoTdevices 230, the transceiver 268 may perform baseband processing on thereceived signals. The transceiver 268 may demodulate and decode thereceived signals and output data representative of the received signalsto the control circuitry 266. Conversely, the transceiver 268 mayreceive data from the control circuitry 266. The transceiver 268 mayperform baseband processing on the data. For example, the transceiver268 may modulate and code the data and transmit the data to an IoTdevice 230.

The content receiver 202 may act as a relay between an IoT device 230and an external server (not shown). For example, the content receiver202 may use the network interface 260 to communicate with the serverusing an Internet protocol. The content receiver 202 may use the IoTtransceiver 268 to communicate with the IoT device 230 using an IoTprotocol. Equipping the content receiver 202 with an IoT gatewayfunctionality removes the need for a separate or independent IoT gatewayin the environment of FIG. 1 . In addition, equipping the contentreceiver 202 with the IoT gateway functionality enables more robustutilization of data originating from or destined to an IoT device 230.As described herein, the content receiver 202 may evaluate the dataoriginating from or destined to the IoT device 230. The content receiver202 may display data representative of a condition or quantity sensed bythe IoT device 230. Accordingly, the user 224 may receive information onthe sensed condition or quantity via the display 204.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of an IoT device 230 communicativelycoupled to the content receiver 202. The content receiver 202 may beconfigured with IoT gateway functionality and may accordingly act as anintermediary or a relay between an IoT device 230 and a server 232. TheIoT device 230 may transmit one or more signals in accordance with anIoT protocol. The content receiver 202, being equipped with an IoTtransceiver 268, receives the one or more signals. The content receiver202 generates Internet protocol data representative of the receivedsignals. The content receiver 202 sends, using the network interface260, the Internet protocol data over the Internet 252 to the server 232.

The server 232 may be a provider's server of the IoT device 230. Forexample, in the event that the IoT device 230 is a motion sensor of asecurity system (or a surveillance system), the server 232 may be acomputer system of a provider of the security the system. Accordingly,the server 232 may receive the data provided by the IoT device 230 andmay store or catalog the data for access by the user 224.

The content receiver 202 may function as a gateway for data transmittedby the server 232 and destined to the IoT device 230. For example, thecontent receiver 202 may receive Internet protocol packet data from theserver 232 over the Internet 252. The content receiver 202 (or thecontrol circuitry thereof 226) may operate on the data and evaluate thedata. The IoT transceiver 268 may code and modulate data and send asignal representative of the data in accordance with an IoT protocol tothe IoT device 230.

The content receiver 202 may glean information from the signalstransmitted by the IoT device 230 and data destined to the IoT device230. The content receiver 202 may evaluate the signals and the data toidentify relevant information. The content receiver 202 may then causethe information to be provided to the user 224. For example, if the user224 is viewing content on the display 204, the content receiver 202 maypresent the information in the form of an alert to the user 224. Thealert may be a notification or an acknowledgement, among others.

FIG. 4A shows an example of an alert 234 output by the content receiver202 and displayed by the display 204. In the example of FIG. 4A, the IoTdevice 230 is a driveway motion sensor of a home. The IoT device 230detects movement, which may be the result of the vehicle driving on tothe driveway, and transmits a signal indicative of the detectedmovement. The content receiver 202 receives the signal and evaluates (orparses) the signal to determine the information carried by the signal.The content receiver identifies that the signal carries informationindicating that movement has been detected.

The content receiver 202 causes the display 204 to display the alert234. As described herein, the content receiver may output a signal overthe peripheral interface 262, to the display 204, instructing thedisplay 204 to show the alert 234. As shown in FIG. 4A, the display 204is showing content watched by the user 224 in full-screen mode. Thealert 234 is superposed onto the content in a top portion of a displayarea of the display 204. The alert 234 may occupy a region in thedisplay area that is less than half, a third, a quarter or a fifth ofthe display area. Even though the alert 234 is shown in a top portion ofthe display area, the alert 234 may alternatively be shown in a bottomportion, left portion, right portion or a center of the display area.The alert 234 may be a pop-up screen or window. The alert 234 includesan identifier 236 of the IoT device 230 and a condition or quantity 238sensed by the IoT device 230.

While the alert 234 is displayed, the content receiver 202 may alsopresent a menu 240 to the user 224 including a plurality of commandselection buttons. As shown in FIG. 4A, a first command selection buttonof the plurality of command selection buttons may be an acknowledgmentbutton permitting the user 224 to acknowledge the alert 234. Upon userselection of the acknowledgment button (for example, by pressing theacknowledgment button), the content receiver 202 may cease to displaythe alert 234. Alternatively, the content receiver 202 may cease displayof the alert 234 upon the expiration of a timer. For example, thecontent receiver 202 may start the timer when the alert 234 ispresented. The timer may have any time limit, such as five seconds, andsecond ends or one minute. The content receiver 202 may automaticallycease displaying the alert 234 upon expiration of the timer. A secondcommand selection button of the plurality of command selection buttonsmay be an IoT device configuration menu access button. The IoT deviceconfiguration menu access button may enable the user 224 to access theIoT device configuration menu described herein.

FIG. 4B shows an example of an alert 234 output by the content receiver202 and displayed by the display 204. In the example of FIG. 4B, the IoTdevice 230 is a front door camera of a home. The IoT device 230 maycapture an image or video of the front door of the home and may transmita signal representative of the captured image or video (to a server).The IoT device 230 may be motion-activated, whereby detection of motionby the IoT device 230 (or another device, such as a motion sensor)triggers capturing the image or video. The content receiver 202 receivesthe signal and evaluates (or parses) the signal to identify the capturedimage or video.

The content receiver 202 causes the display 204 to display the alert234. As described herein, the content receiver may output a signal overthe peripheral interface 262, to the display 204, instructing thedisplay 204 to show the alert 234. As shown in FIG. 4B, the display 204is showing content watched by the user 224 in full-screen mode. Thealert 234 is superposed onto the content in a top portion of a displayarea of the display 204 but may be disposed elsewhere in the displayarea or sized or dimensioned differently as described herein. The alert234 may be a pop-up screen or window. The alert 234 includes anidentifier 236 of the IoT device 230 and an image 242 captured by theIoT device 230. While the alert 234 is displayed, the content receiver202 may also present the menu 240 described herein.

FIG. 4C shows an example of an alert 234 output by the content receiver202 and displayed by the display 204. In the example of FIG. 4A, the IoTdevice 230 is a water tank leakage sensor of a home. The IoT device 230detects leakage of the water tank. The IoT device 230 may be a moisture,liquid or fluid sensor. The IoT device 230 transmits a signal indicativeof whether the leakage is detected. The content receiver 202 receivesthe signal and evaluates (or parses) the signal to determine theinformation carried by the signal. The content receiver 202 identifiesthat the signal carries information indicating that leakage has beendetected.

The content receiver 202 causes the display 204 to display the alert234. As shown in FIG. 4A, the display 204 is showing content watched bythe user 224 in full-screen mode. The alert 234 is superposed onto thecontent in a top portion of a display area of the display 204 asdescribed herein. The alert 234 includes an identifier 236 of the IoTdevice 230 and the condition or quantity 238 sensed by the IoT device230. While the alert 234 is displayed, the content receiver 202 alsopresents the menu 240 to the user 224 including the plurality of commandselection buttons.

In an embodiment, the alert 234 may include a notification or anyacknowledgement. For example, the alert 234 may include a notificationof that the sprinkler will not be turned on due to the fact that aforecast is predicting rain. The user may use the alert 234 toacknowledge or override the notification. For example, the menu maypresent to the user one button to acknowledge the notification that thesprinkler will not be turned on and another button for the user tooverride the notification. If the user selects the button to overridethe notification, the user may be presented with another menu to specifywhen the IoT device 230 (e.g., sprinkler) is to be activated. Forexample, the user may be presented with selections of a pre-configuredor pre-specified time that represents the time at which the sprinkler istypically turned on. Further, the user may specify the timeindependently using the menu.

FIG. 5 shows an example of an IoT device configuration menu 244 outputby the content receiver 202 and displayed by the display 204. Thecontent receiver 202 may present the IoT device configuration menu 244in response to user 224 selection of the IoT device configuration menuaccess button described herein. The IoT device configuration menu 244includes a listing 246 of configured IoT devices 230, a listing of alertconfigurations 248 for each configured IoT device 230, a settings accesscommand 270 for each configured IoT device 230 and an access command 272for adding or removing the IoT devices 230.

The user 224 may set the alert configuration 248 for each IoT device 230(for example, by selecting or unselecting a check box) to define whetheralerts corresponding to the IoT device 230 are to be displayed. If thealert configuration 248 is unchecked, the content receiver 202 mayrefrain from displaying alerts corresponding to the IoT device 230.Furthermore, the content receiver 202 may not parse or evaluate signalsreceived from the IoT device 230 if the alert configuration 248 is notset to alert the user 224 or is unselected due to the fact that thecontent receiver 202 is not displaying alerts originating from the IoTdevice 230.

If the user selects the settings access command 270, the contentreceiver 202 displays a settings menu 274 described herein withreference to FIG. 6 for the IoT device 230. If the user selects theaccess command 272 for adding or removing the IoT devices 230, thecontent receiver 202 displays a menu for adding or removing IoT devices230. For example, the user 224 may remove devices such that alertsoriginating from the devices are not displayed. In addition, the user224 may add more IoT devices 230, whereby the user 224 may providedevice identification information and service identification informationand the content receiver 202 may begin displaying alerts originatingfrom the added IoT devices 230.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a settings menu 274 output by the contentreceiver 202 and displayed by the display 204. The settings menu 274includes a display position configuration 276 for an alert 234, an alertdisplay area configuration 278 and a sound alert configuration 280 thealert 234. The display position configuration 276 for the alert 234permits the user 224 to define a position for the alert on a displayarea of the display 204. The display position configuration 276 permitsthe user to define where the alert is displayed on the display area. Theuser 224 may select between a top position, a bottom position, a leftposition or a right position on the display area. The content receiver202 displays the alert 234 and the defined position.

The alert display area configuration 278 permits the user to define analert display area or increase or decrease the alert display area. Forexample, the alert display area may be set by the user 224 as apercentage of the display area of the display. Because of the alert 234is superposed on content displayed on the display area and may interferewith user experience or view of the content, it is desirable to permitthe user 224 to select the alert display area. The sound alertconfiguration 280 may permit the user to configure the content receiver202 to include the sound alert when displaying the alert 234. Forexample, when the sound alert is configured, the content receiver 202may cause the display 204 to play a sound or a tone when displaying thealert 234.

FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a method 700 implemented by a contentreceiver 202 configured as an IoT gateway. In the method 700, at 702,the content receiver 202 receives a first signal transmitted, inaccordance with an IoT protocol, by an IoT device 230. As describedherein, the content receiver 202 may include an IoT transceiver, wherebythe IoT transceiver is compliant with the IoT protocol and receives thefirst signal. The content receiver 202 demodulates and decodes the firstsignal at 704. The content receiver 202, at 706, generates one or morepackets representative of the first signal, which may be IP packets ornon-IP packets. When preserving a battery life or a charge of the IoTdevice 230 is sought, a non-IP packet may be used due to the fact that anon-IP protocol has less overhead and is more efficient than the IPprotocol. However, if the IoT device 230 is not in a batterypreservation mode or energy use reduction mode, IP packets may begenerated.

The content receiver 202, at 708, sends the one or more packets to anexternal server. As described herein, the content receiver 202 mayinclude the network interface 260 operable to transmit and receive dataover the Internet 252. The content receiver 202 may send the one or morepackets to the external server using the network interface 260.

The content receiver 202, at 710, determines whether an alert isconfigured for the IoT device 230. If a negative determination is madeat 710, the method 700 reverts to receiving further signals transmittedby the IOT device 230 at 702. Conversely, if a positive determination ismade at 710, the content receiver 202, at 712, evaluates the datacarried by the first signal and, at 714, causes an alert to be displayedbased on the data. As described herein, causing the alert to bedisplayed may include displaying a popup representing the alert on thedisplay and superposing the popup on content displayed on the display.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. These and other changes can be made to theembodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, inthe following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limitthe claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specificationand the claims, but should be construed to include all possibleembodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by thedisclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: an Internet of Things(IoT) device including a transceiver configured to transmit a firstsignal in accordance with an IoT protocol; and a content receiverconfigured as an IoT gateway including: an IoT transceiver configuredto: receive the first signal; demodulate and decode the first signal;and output data representative of the first signal; a controllerconfigured to: cause an IoT device configuration menu to be displayed,the IoT device configuration menu presenting a command for a user tospecify, for the IoT device, whether an alert display is configured forthe IoT device, an alert display area as a percentage of a display areaof a display coupled to the content receiver and a display position ofan alert on the display; receive user specification of whether the alertdisplay is configured for the IoT device; receive the datarepresentative of the first signal; determine whether the alert displayis configured for the IoT device as specified by the user; determine todisplay the alert on the display as the percentage of the display areaand at the display position on the display based on the userspecification after determining that the alert display is configured forthe IoT device; and generate and output one or more packetsrepresentative of the first signal; and a network interface configuredto: receive the one or more packets representative of the first signal;and send the one or more packets to an external server.
 2. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to cause thealert to be displayed by displaying a popup representing the alert onthe display.
 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the controlleris configured to superpose the popup on content displayed on thedisplay.
 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller isconfigured to: display the alert together with a first acknowledgementinput permitting the user to acknowledge the alert; and in response toreceiving selection from the user of the first acknowledgement input,cease display of the alert.
 5. The system according to claim 1, whereinthe IoT device configuration menu presents a command for the user to addand remove IoT devices with which the content receiver communicates. 6.The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configuredto: display the alert including an image or video captured by the IoTdevice.
 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the IoT device is asensor and the first signal represents a condition or quantity sensed bythe IoT device.
 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the IoTdevice configuration menu presents the command for the user to specify,for the IoT device, the display position of the alert on the display asone of a top, bottom, left or right position.
 9. The system according toclaim 1, wherein the controller is configured to, in response todetermining that the alert display is configured for the IoT device,cause the alert to be displayed on the display in accordance with theuser specification of the alert display area and the display position.10. A method, comprising: causing an Internet of Things (IoT) deviceconfiguration menu to be displayed, the IoT device configuration menupresenting a command for a user to specify, for an IoT device, whetheran alert display is configured for the IoT device, an alert display areaas a percentage of a display area of a display coupled to a contentreceiver and a display position of an alert on the display; receive userspecification of whether the alert display is configured for the IoTdevice; receiving, by the content receiver configured as an IoT gateway,a first signal transmitted by the IoT device in accordance with an IoTprotocol; demodulating and decoding the first signal; determiningwhether the alert display is configured for the IoT device as specifiedby the user; determining to display the alert on the display as thepercentage of the display area and at the display position on thedisplay based on the user specification after determining that the alertdisplay is configured for the IoT device; generating one or more packetsrepresentative of the first signal; and sending the one or more packetsto an external server.
 11. The method according to claim 10, comprising:causing the alert to be displayed by displaying a popup representing thealert on the display.
 12. The method according to claim 11, comprising:superposing the popup on content displayed on the display.
 13. Themethod according to claim 10, comprising: displaying the alert togetherwith a first acknowledgement input permitting the user to acknowledgethe alert; and in response to receiving selection from the user of thefirst acknowledgement input, ceasing display of the alert.
 14. Themethod according to claim 10, wherein the IoT device configuration menupresents a command for the user to add and remove IoT devices with whichthe content receiver communicates.
 15. The method according to claim 10,comprising: displaying the alert including an image or video captured bythe IoT device.
 16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the IoTdevice is a sensor and the first signal represents a condition orquantity sensed by the IoT device.
 17. A content receiver, comprising:an Internet of Things (IoT) transceiver configured to: receive a firstsignal transmitted by an IoT device in accordance with an IoT protocol;demodulate and decode the first signal; and output data representativeof the first signal; a controller configured to: cause an IoT deviceconfiguration menu to be displayed, the IoT device configuration menupresenting a command for a user to specify, for the IoT device, whetheran alert display is configured for the IoT device, an alert display areaas a percentage of a display area of a display coupled to the contentreceiver and a display position of an alert on the display; receive userspecification of whether the alert display is configured for the IoTdevice; receive the data representative of the first signal; determinewhether the alert display is configured for the IoT device as specifiedby the user; determine to display the alert on the display as thepercentage of the display area and at the display position on thedisplay based on the user specification after determining that the alertdisplay is configured for the IoT device; generate one or more packetsrepresentative of the first signal; and output the one or more packetsrepresentative of the first signal; and a network interface configuredto: receive the one or more packets representative of the first signal;and send the one or more packets to an external server.
 18. The contentreceiver according to claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to:cause the alert to be displayed by displaying a popup representing thealert on the display; and superpose the popup on content displayed onthe display.
 19. The content receiver according to claim 17, wherein thecontroller is configured to: display the alert together with a firstacknowledgement input permitting the user to acknowledge the alert; andin response to receiving selection from the user of the firstacknowledgement input, cease display of the alert.
 20. The contentreceiver according to claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to:display the alert including an image or video captured by the IoTdevice.